Safimod's Power Rankings - Preseason Week 3

Preseason is in the books, and the regular season kicks off on Thursday night. Soon, the 2 games everyone played in the preseason will be a distant memory that will have no effect on these power rankings, but for now it is still all we have to go on.

Rider fans worst fears were realized on Friday night when neither Zach Collaros nor Brandon Bridge got anything going with the starting offence. In fact, it wasn’t until David Watford hit the field that the Riders really starting moving the ball at all. Chris Jones attributes that to rust as Collaros is 9 months removed from football action, but either way – this team could be anywhere from a 3-15 dumpster fire to a 12-6 Grey Cup Contender. The pieces are there, but if they don’t get something out of Collaros, who knows. (Count me in the group that things we are closer to the 12-6 Grey Cup contender, but these rankings aren’t based on how good a team could be, but how they have played thus far).

Hamilton had a decent showing versus the Alouettes on Sunday morning, with Johnny Manziel throwing his first career CFL TD pass. If you didn’t hear about it, I’m sure you could look on any social media app or sports channel and they will likely be playing a highlight of it within the next few minutes. Henoc Muamba decided to give Manziel a warm welcome to the CFL with a late hit (that he admitted to) but I give full props to Johnny Football for his response. He welcomes hits like that if it will give his team 15 yards and a first down.

Speaking of Montreal – they announced they were going in to the season with Drew Willy as their starting QB. If they weren’t already sitting at 9, this would likely move them down a few spots alone. I hope Drew Willy has an MOP type season in Montreal, though. They have suffered enough these past couple years.

Speaking of team’s without quaterbacks, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers started their QB1 auditions this week, and it certainly looks like former BC Lion Alex Ross will take the reigns while Matt Nichols is out for the next 4-6 weeks. They didn’t give him much to work with downfield, as he went 10/13 for 78 yards including a long of 21. The 3 QBs on the Bombers roster have thrown a combined 12 regular season passes in their CFL career. All of them by Ross. Winnipeg has the toughest schedule to open the season out of any of the Western teams, as they have 3 games against the west in their first 5 games. A tough start at QB could leave them in a hole early.

*** Don't forget to enter the 2018 Piffles Podcast Fan Contest! Running all season, we want to hear more about YOU, the GREAT Rider fans! What does Rider Pride mean to you? How did you become a fan? Who's your favourite player? We would like to ask you these questions and more and share your story with ALL of Rider Nation! We have over $2,500 in prizes to give away and we would love to learn more about the passionate fans that make up Riderville! To enter, fill out the questionaire and you are qualified! 20 Weekly Winners will be drawn throughout the season and EVERYONE that enters is put into the Grand Prize Draw to be made during the final week of the CFL regular season! ***

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